Residents oppose eviction drive

Mumbai: Around 500 residents of Shivaji Nagar tenements, Kherwadi, building number 3, and its nearby areas came together on Thursday morning to oppose an eviction drive carried out by police and civic officials. The building is in a dilapidated condition, civic officials said. According to BMC officials, the ground plus two-storeyed structure houses 16 families and belongs to the civic body’s estate department. The building is in a dilapidated and dangerous condition. We have sent them several notices, but to no effect. They have given us conditions which are not feasible. The water and electricity supply has already been disconnected. A Civic official said, “ The police couldn’t evict them today. According to the Supreme Court order, it is the responsibilty of the police to evict them. We need at least 200 to 300 police officials before we could go ahead with the plan.” Senior police inspector, Sudhir Jambavdekar of the Nirmal Nagar police station said, “We had provided the police force for the eviction drive. But related BMC document are not complete.’’